What Do Governors Do?

The job of the governors is strategic – we are responsible for making sure the finances are secure, for developing the vision of the school and for ensuring that the children receive a broad and balanced curriculum, as well as many other things. It is a responsible and fascinating role.

How much time does it take?

The time commitment is significant, but not impossible. We have full governing body meetings 5 times a year, in the evenings from 6.30 until approximately 8.30pm. All governors belong to one Committee (Personnel, Premises, Curriculum or Finance) which holds one or two other meetings in the afternoons each term. (Employers are under an obligation to allow their staff to have time off for their duties as school governors). Governors tend to get involved with one particular area of the curriculum and to do one visit per year to learn about the teaching of that subject. All parent governors belong to the Parent Partnership Committee which meets once per term in the evenings.

Do governors get paid?

Although being a governor is voluntary, expenses (eg for childcare) can be paid.

What sort of people become governors?

Anyone can become a parent governor if they have a child at the school. Some of our governors work full-time, some part-time, and others are not in paid employment, but they all share one thing – a commitment to the children at Bengeo Primary School today and in the future. We welcome people with skills and expertise in particular fields, but the most important thing is having the time and willingness to work with the school to make it as good as it possibly can be.

If you want to be part of that challenge, please do nominate yourself on the forms provided, asking another parent to second your nomination. Elections will take place if more than two people put their name forward. If you would like to have a chat about what it is like to be a governor please leave a message with the school office for Mark Smith (Chair of Governors) to contact you.